Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Katharine Tynan, in "After Great Drought", paints a vivid image of the world desperate for rain and its rejuvenating aftermath. Through intricate imageries and poignant word choices, Tynan explores the themes of salvation, rebirth, and the healing power of nature.

Theme Analysis: The poem delves into the profound connection between earth and rain, a relationship portraying desperation followed by salvation. The earth, represented by the "small things", cattle, and the "sick children", thirsts for the life-giving embrace of the rain. This thirst signifies suffering, longing, and the inherent fragility of life. In contrast, the rain symbolizes salvation, healing, and God's benevolent touch upon His creations.

Content: Opening with the line, "The rain gropes with delicate pushing fingers", Tynan uses anthropomorphism to endow the rain with a gentle, nurturing character. The use of the word "gropes" suggests an earnest search, an immediate need to quench the thirst of the dying beings.

As the poem progresses, the life-giving attributes of the rain become more pronounced. From "sweeter than honey-dew" to the "river of life", rain's transformative effect revitalizes the landscape. The cattle, once "fainting and dying", now find solace as the rain's presence is affirmed by the murmuring "water-brooks".

The rain's arrival doesn't just signify physical relief but also emotional and spiritual upliftment. Earth's "sick children", possibly referring to humans, experience the nurturing touch and kiss of the "life-giving goddess", an epithet for the rain. The blending of pagan and Christian imagery, with the mention of a goddess and God, highlights the universality of this salvation narrative.

Poetic Devices: Tynan's use of personification and anthropomorphism consistently paints the rain as a benevolent, nurturing entity. The repetition of the plea-like phrase "Hasten, O Rain!" underscores the urgency and desperation of the drought-ridden world.

The poem's rhythm gives it a hymn-like quality, akin to a prayer of gratitude. This is further emphasized by the bells in the concluding stanzas, evoking a sense of celebration and thanksgiving.

Conclusion: Katharine Tynan's "After Great Drought" is a powerful testament to nature's cyclical processes of decay and rejuvenation. Through a vivid portrayal of a world reeling from drought and the transformative touch of rain, Tynan underscores the perennial themes of suffering, salvation, and the benevolence of a higher power. The poem serves as a reminder of nature's omnipresence, its capacity to heal, and the deep-seated connection between man and the environment.

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